White House candidate backs hate crimes bill

Senate Criminal Justice Committee member Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said Monday she thought her staff was joking when they gave her the message that Bradley had telephoned last Friday.

They weren't. Bradley told Mrs. Shapiro the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act was a "very important issue" and he knew she would "do the right thing."

"I care very much more for my colleagues in the Senate and their thoughts and feelings, and for my colleagues in the House and their thoughts and feelings than I could ever care about a total stranger like Bill Bradley, who is of a different party and has no influence over me whatsoever," Mrs. Shapiro said.